Cross StitchWelcome to Life's Hills & Valleys Cross Stitch!
I hope you will enjoy reading the stories behind some of my cross stitch projects.
Thank you for visiting my site and be sure to "Send Me Your Comments"
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My First Cross Stitch Project
I really just was on the look out for an ideal picture to hang in my kitchen. It so happened that I found it in a craft shop and it came in a package as a cross stitch kit. I fall in love with the picture and was determined to have it.
I had never cross stitched and knew no one that could do it for me. The project was definitely for an advanced stitcher. I had no problem reading a pattern so I was confident that I could quickly pick up on the instructions.
It was meant to be; I not only picked up the craft with ease: I found that I truly enjoyed watching my picture come to life. It wasn't long before I was hooked on cross stitching and looking forward with enthusiasm toward my next project.
My picture is called "Willowware Classic" by Bucilla. After it was completed I had it professionally stretched and framed with a double mat.
That was over twenty years ago; since then I worked on many more projects, some of which are proudly displayed in my home while others were given away as gifts to family.
Wanting to see that all my projects were properly displayed developed my interest in picture framing which led me to become a professional picture framer.
Several months after I completed "Willowware Classic" I entered it in a local craft fair competition where it was awarded a "Best of the Show" ribbon.
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Cross Stitching for Pleasure
I'm sure you've heard it before; take something you enjoy doing; most likely a hobby of some sort and turn it into a money making venture.
One of my hobbies is cross stitching, so several years ago I had the notion to cross stitch a beautiful picture, have it professionally framed and put it up for sale on e-bay.
I truly enjoyed stitching every stitch of this project and I kept a record of every minute that I spent stitching. When it was all done it took 141 hours to compete over a course of four months.
This did not include the time that I spent picking out and buying the pattern; buying and organizing the floss along with having the project cleaned, ironed, stretched and framed. At that time I was working in a fame shop so I took the project to the shop to have the mat, fillet, frame and glass ordered. I did the stretching, mounting and framing at home.
I had to set a price for my framed picture. The price would have to pay for all the materials plus I wanted to be paid for the hours that I spent getting the picture to its finished state.
The materials: the pattern leaflet, the floss, the cloth, acid free foam core, stainless steel pins and tape all added up to approximately $47.00.
The frame, mat, fillet, glass and hardware added up to approximately $197.00.
I spent 141 hours stitching the picture; I tacked on another ten hours to cover the time I spent preparing for the project and framing the picture. My total hours - 151.
I decided to set my hourly rate at $10.00 an hour. The rate was lower than what I was getting at the frame shop but equivalent to what most experienced manufacture and service employees receive.
I knew that I would have additional costs such as the e-bay fees and I would need packing material so I added on another $50.00.
My calculations were: $47.00 + $197.00 + $1510.00 (151 hours x $10.00) + $50.00 which added up to $1804.00. The shipping fee was listed separately.
After several weeks on e-bay I was not successful in selling the picture. I had some very nice compliments but most people said they were not willing to pay my asking price.
Selling one of my cross stitched pictures for just the cost of the materials and perhaps a few extra dollars for my time is something that I would never consider. I feel that I should be compensated for my talent, creativity and skills just as in any other occupation.
I continue to cross stitch beautiful pictures for the great pleasure that I get in seeing the pictures come to life with every stitch of the needle.
Today "The Daisy Girl" by Leisure Arts is proudly displayed over an accent chair in my home.
